One of our 3 wedding songs

This was emailed to us a while back from a family friend who has known Troy most of Troy's life. (Troy even dated his daughter.) Our families go camping together every summer. Greg is famous for writing clever lyrics to popular songs. Because the camping trips revolve around dirt biking, most of the songs are also about motorcycles.

Troy's Dad, Greg (who wrote the song) and Alan, (who also camps with us) sang this song at our wedding reception in Utah, accompanied by guitars.

Looking back, I realize that almost everything in this song is true, even if some of it is stretched a little to make it funny. It seems like now that we have kids, I spend more time in camp than on my motor riding by his side.

Troy and Nicole Wedding Pie by Greg Shields
Sung to the tune of 'American Pie" by Don McLean

(first verse)
Not too long ago, This was
When it had just begun to snow,
There was a boy you got know.

In wintertime he stole your heart
The two of you were not apart
And wedding plans began to start

But in romance with all its glory
You sometimes get just half the story,

Should have taken that invitation,
To go on his vacation.

We hope you have a great romance,
Cause if you do then there’s a chance,
You’ll look good in Fox racing pants.

Because Troy loves to ride…

Chorus:
Ride, ride, we gotta go ride!
I hope you get a motor
And you ride by his side.

If you don’t want to
you can always stay home

and think of things to do all alone…
think of things to do all alone.

(second verse)
Troy was raised out in the dirt,
With a toilet and a fridge that didn’t work.

And he thought that it was all so grand,

A great time on a Friday night
was to do air-cleaners on the bike,
Make sure all the chains were tight.

He always looked in real trouble
Cause he’d go through, not around the puddles,

The bike was always calling,
And Troy was always falling.

Now I hope that you can hold on tight
When Troy rides at the speed of light,
The bike drowns out those screams of fright

Because Troy loves to ride…

Chorus:
Ride, ride, we gotta go ride!
I hope you get a motor
And you ride by his side.

If you don’t want to
you can always stay home

and think of things to do all alone…
think of things to do all alone.

(third verse)
When you make your travel plans
You must not think of distant lands,
With all those great rides close at hand.

Can you fill your vacation needs,
By always camping in the weeds?
Because you’ll never see the beach

A restaurant by the ocean or a mountain top,
In his mind won’t beat the pit-stop.

They cook burgers your way
with the patties as an ashtray.

You'll get stuck out in the tent
With tubes ans bike parts that are bent
but you won't have to pay the rent

Because Troy loves to ride.

Chorus:
Ride, ride, we gotta go ride!
I hope you get a motor
And you ride by his side.

If you don’t want to
you can always stay home

and think of things to do all alone…
think of things to do all alone.

(fourth verse)

We don't mean to scare you away
But it's too late, we're sad to say
Just stick with us and you'll be okay

Even if Troy loves to ride.

Chorus:
Ride, ride, we gotta go ride!
I hope you get a motor
And you ride by his side.

If you don’t want to
you can always stay home

and think of things to do all alone…
think of things to do all alone.

Early morning party at my house- Why wasn't I invited?

Attendees: Stan, Dave, Spencer, Troy, and Brad holding a water bottle Timmy with his football. At least Troy put sandals on over his pajamas
The police cars were all over.
Jessie and her Mommy, Anna
A splendid view of the port-a-potties
Sierra

The Salt Lake Marathon happens every year, and every year, it is like a surprise party. We live right on the route, and we live at mile 14, so there is always a big to-do in our front yard that morning. A lot of our neighbors came over to watch from our driveway. We have front row seats.
We are always awakened in the morning by loud music, cheering and cries of "Water! Water" and "Gatorade! Gatorade!" The runners get thirsty and want to know what is in the cups that the volunteers thrust at them as they pass.

The first year we lived in our house, we were remodeling the bathroom, and the back wall was torn out. It was enclosed by a semi-transparent plastic. Well, the marathon committee didn't plan on enough port-a potties, and two lady runners, came up to Troy and asked if they could use our bathroom. (He was sitting in a lawn chair in the driveway.) He said as long as they didn't value their privacy, they were welcome to use it. They both used it.

That same year, the volunteers came over and told Troy that they ran out of toilet paper, and asked if they could borrow some. He lent it to them. They didn't return it (thank goodness). So, you can call us active supporters of the SL Marathon.

I'm told (I am still snuggled up in bed when this happens) the bikers come zooming past around 5ish. About an hour later the crazy fast men runners start to show up. This may be un-PC but Troy tells me they are almost all black guys. (I am still snoozing) Next comes the fast white guys and the super fast women. By the time I roll out of bed, around 7am, and look out the window, there are the quick runners, both men and women. After my shower, the joggers come past.

By the time I'm dressed and outside, the slowest stragglers are passing. (Don't get me wrong, they are ALL going faster than I would be; I am just comparing them to those completing the marathon. The last person, I felt sorry for her, but proud of her for finishing, was followed slowly by a police car, then by the slow-moving procession of vehicles that anxiously awaited the road opening.

By about 11 am, the road is open again, the band has packed up, the volunteers are gone, and the port-a-potties have been hauled off. All evidence of the marathon has disappeared. Too bad house parties don't clean themselves up the same way. I'd have a party every weekend if that was the case.